Santos (50-7-1 MMA, 1-1 BFC) suffered a third-round keylock-submission loss to Saunders back in October, and Friday at Bellator 67, he hopes to get back in the win column against Canadian notable and promotional newcomer Ryan Ford (17-4 MMA, 0-0). The fights airs as part of the MTV2-televised main card from Casino Rama in Rama, Ontario, Canada.

“I think the defeat to Ben Saunders was my fault, and I can recognize it,” the 32-year-old told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). “In my fight with Ben Saunders, I learned that when an athlete is injured, he must make the decision not to fight. I’ll never fight injured again as I did in the fight against Ben. I fought injured and ended up not getting the result I know I could have achieved.”

Santos, who defeated Dan Hornbuckle in the tourney’s opening round, now has a single focus on Ford. The winner is likely to get another big fight, probably in a future Bellator tournament.

For Santos, it’s a second shot to earn a shot at current champion Ben Askren. With 26 knockouts and 10 submissions on his ledger, the Brazilian could bring a well-balanced attack to an undefeated champion known for his smothering top game and ground and pound.

Against Ford, though, Santos has to be prepared for anything. The Canadian, who cut his teeth in the MFC and other Canadian promotions, is on a 5-1 run, and his past 10 victories have come via a mix of knockouts and submissions.

“I’m going to make Ryan Ford fight my fight,” he said. “I will impose my will at all times. I am very strong and prepared for this fight.

“Getting the win is the most important thing for me in this fight with Ryan Ford but I’m definitely looking for the knockout.”

Santos, who’s married to fighter and recent Legacy Fighting Championships signee Carina Damm, said his relationship has kept him focused on the task of the hand.

“I am married to a person who does the same thing that I [do], train and fight, so that makes us always be closer to each other and help each other more as well, in training and at home,” he said. “I’m very attached to my family. I believe that family and the base good that God gives us.

“I fight because I love what I [do], and I always try to improve in order to have condition to help keep the one I love.”

So, Santos said, Ford better come prepared. And fans should be ready for a show.

“I hope Ryan Ford is ready to fight the hardest fight of his life,” he said. “This is going to be a great fight for the fans, and I definitely see my hand raised in the end.

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